Helical hollow strand ureteral stent

Abstract

A stent is provided that includes a body extending between a distal and a proximal end. The body is defined by a plurality of elongated members, with each elongated member extending between a distal end that is coterminous with the distal end of the body and a proximal end that is coterminous with the proximal end of the body. Each of the plurality of elongated members are arranged so as to define a lumen extending along the length of the respective plurality of elongated members, the lumen extending between the distal and proximal ends of the body so as to form a lumen length. Each of the plurality of elongated members are configured to permit drainage of a fluid from within the lumen to an environment external the stent along the entire lumen length.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stent, comprising:
 a body extending between a distal end and a proximal end, the body defined by a plurality of elongated members, each elongated member extending between a distal end that is substantially coterminous with the distal end of the body and a proximal end that is substantially coterminous with the proximal end of the body;   wherein each of the plurality of elongated members are arranged so as to define a lumen extending along the length of the respective plurality of elongated members, the lumen extending between the distal and proximal ends of the body so as to form a lumen length;   wherein each of the plurality of elongated members are configured to permit drainage of a fluid from within the lumen to an environment external the stent along the entire lumen length.   
     
     
         2 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the plurality of elongated members extend in a helical pattern to define a surface of the body and the lumen.   
     
     
         3 . The stent of  claim 2 , wherein:
 each of the plurality of elongated members extend between the distal and proximal ends such that each of the plurality of elongate members extends multiple revolutions between the distal and proximal ends of the body.   
     
     
         4 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plurality of elongated members comprise a first plurality of elongated members and a second plurality of elongated members, wherein the first plurality of elongated members form an inner layer of the body to define the lumen, and the second plurality of elongated members form an outer layer of the body that surrounds the inner layer.   
     
     
         5 . The stent of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the first plurality of elongated members extend around and along the lumen in a clockwise helical pattern; and   the second plurality of elongated members extend around and along the lumen in a counterclockwise helical pattern.   
     
     
         6 . The stent of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first plurality of elongated members and the second plurality of elongated members each extend at a pitch that is the same magnitude, while the pitch of the first plurality of elongate members and the pitch of the second plurality of elongate members extend in opposite directions.   
     
     
         7 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the lumen is configured so as to allow the passage of a wire guide therethrough.   
     
     
         8 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the body comprises a distal end portion that extends to the distal end and a proximal end portion that extends to the proximal end, wherein one or both of the distal and proximal end portions are biased into a shape other than straight.   
     
     
         9 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plurality of elongated members comprise a biocompatible metal.   
     
     
         10 . The stent of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a wire guide movably disposed within the lumen.   
     
     
         11 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plurality of elongated members comprise a first plurality of elongated members and a second plurality of elongated members, wherein the first plurality of elongated members form an inner layer to surround and form the lumen, and the second plurality of elongated members form an outer layer that surrounds the inner layer; and   the first plurality of elongated members and the second plurality of elongated members each comprise nine elongated members.   
     
     
         12 . The stent of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the first plurality of elongated members extend around and along the lumen in a clockwise helical pattern; and   the second plurality of elongated members extend around and along the lumen in a counterclockwise helical pattern.   
     
     
         13 . The stent of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the lumen is configured so as to allow the passage of a wire guide therethrough.   
     
     
         14 . A method for placing a ureteral stent, comprising:
 providing a ureteral stent, the stent comprising a body extending between a distal end and a proximal end, the body defined by a plurality of elongated members, each elongated member extending between a distal end that is substantially coterminous with the distal end of the body and a proximal end that is substantially coterminous with the proximal end of the body, wherein each of the plurality of elongated members are arranged so as to define a lumen extending along the length of the plurality of elongated members, the lumen extending between the distal and proximal ends of the body so as to form a lumen length, wherein each of the plurality of elongated members are configured to permit drainage of a fluid from within the lumen to an environment external the stent along the entire lumen length; and   advancing the ureteral stent into a ureter of a patient until the ureteral stent is positioned within the ureter.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 advancing a guide wire into the ureter before the step of advancing the ureteral stent into the ureter;   wherein the step of advancing the ureteral stent into the ureter further comprising advancing the ureteral stent over the guide wire.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 removing the guide wire from the ureter.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 removing the ureteral stent from the ureter.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the plurality of elongated members comprise a first plurality of elongated members and a second plurality of elongated members, wherein the first plurality of elongated members form an inner layer of the body to define the lumen, and the second plurality of elongated members form an outer layer of the body that surrounds the inner layer.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein:
 each of the plurality of elongated members extend in a helical pattern to define a surface of the body and the lumen;   the first plurality of elongated members extend around and along the lumen in a clockwise helical pattern; and   the second plurality of elongated members extend around and along the lumen in a counterclockwise helical pattern.